Friday, December 30, 2011

This year I read some wonderful books. It wasn’t immediately apparent that I had read so much that tickled my fancy, but when I went back over the year, I was happily surprised to discover that there were quite a few standouts. I actually had to cut down my list a little bit to keep from going overboard. One of the things that surprised me about this year’s list was that almost all of my favorites were books that I had chosen for myself and were not review copies. This realization only strengthens my resolve to read more from my shelves this year and to let my reading be directed by my whims and not by what I’m expected or obligated to read. I’ve heard others say that when they decided on this route their reading became robust, stimulating and rewarding, so I’m hoping that 2012 is a year of rejuvenation for me when it comes to reading. As always, I will be looking to you all, my blogging buddies, for all those books that I simply must read right away!

This is the list of my ten top reads of the year. Instead of posting a synopsis of each read, I’ve decided to just give you a couple of sentences on how the books made me feel and the overall impression they left me with. Of course, if you want to find out more, you can always click through and read the previously posted review. Here is my list, in no particular order:

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot: A stunning and strange powerhouse of a book that melds eyebrow raising science with the story of a family who are powerless against the medical innovations that wrecked their lives. A deeply resonating read that made me angry and amazed and also had me reaching for the box of tissues at my side.

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness: Academia, witches, vampires and demons, oh my! A book that was rather large but had me excitedly flipping pages for hours and hours, wondering what would be revealed next. Magic, time travel and romance, and let me tell you, Edward Cullen has nothing on Matthew.

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett: A strange discovery in the jungle that holds the secret to life, and a doctor who will do anything, no matter how unsavory, to hold onto this discovery and make it her own. A thrilling and inveigling read that kept me agog with its strangeness and edginess. Patchett’s writing wasn’t too shabby either!

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan: Time, relationships and music converge in this non-linear exploration of a handful of characters and their desires to make the kinds of connections that defy explanation. A read the kept me constantly wondering and off balance, but in such a good way! I had to see this one all the way to the end because I just couldn’t look away. Egan is a very talented lady.

Q: A Novel by Evan Mandery: An absurdist adventure that intersperses time travel and romance. But this isn’t like The Time Traveler’s Wife at all. Witty, sarcastic and philosophical are all great words to describe this book, but most of all, it was damn funny, and I may have snorted in public while reading it. I’m just sayin’.

Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante: Frightening and consuming, the story of a surgeon with Alzheimer’s who may or may not have committed a murder. She doesn’t really know, and neither do you, until that final whopper of a chapter that will have your stomach sinking into your toes.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: A classic that I’m ashamed to admit took me this long to read. A heroine with modern sensibilities and a backbone as thick as can be. An amazing read that defied my expectations, and will be read again. And perhaps again.

We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver: So disturbing that I had to sleep with my bedroom door locked and a night light on for a few days after reading it. Unsettling and oh so realistic, this is Shriver’s tale of a mother who raises a sociopath and her attempts to normalize a child who will never be normal. Chilling and expertly written.

Horns by Joe Hill: I’m not a big reader of horror novels, but this strange little book by Joe Hill was so funny, and yes, scary, that I couldn’t resist adding this to the list. A young man slowly morphs into a demon complete with the red skin, horns and a new set of disturbing powers. Unexpectedly brash and totally unusual. Hill must do his daddy, master horror writer Stephen King, proud.

So that’s my list, and I have to say that I had fun reliving all these amazing books and coming up with these little snippets to entice you with. I’ve loved a lot of what I read this year, but these were the stand-outs, and I’m hoping you might give some of them a try! I also wanted to thank you all for reading my ramblings and for being such great friends to me. I hope that you all have an amazing New Year’s and that your reading for 2012 is both exciting and amazing. I’ll be happily following you through your year’s reading journeys!

Great list! I am adding a couple of these to my TBR list. Your summary is encouraging me to read The Turn of the Mind. I am also adding Horns based on your review. Again thanks for great reviews! Happy New Year!

Fabulous list! I've only read State of Wonder and Jane Eyre, and loved both, so I can't wait to check out the rest! I'm myself just working on my post. I hope you have a fabulous new year, and that 2012 is just as fabulous in reading. I know what you mean by most of your favorites being non-review books. I am curious to see how my list stacks up.

What a great variety you enjoyed this year! I'm so looking forward to reading Immortal Life for my book club soon and State of Wonder is high on my list because I love Patchett. We Need To Talk About Kevin is one of those books that I will never forget - more than two years after reading it, I still can't put the details out of my head!

Oh, great list! I also realized in going back over my list that I read more good books than I expected this year. And, like you, most of those brilliant books were not review books but ones I chose for myself. That isn't really surprising, I suppose. I'm so excited for more reading projects with you next year :-)

I've only read Jane Eyre and We Need To Talk About Kevin from your list, and loved both. And of course I added several of the others to my TBR list. Not the surgeon murder one, that sounds way to disturbing and I don't want nightmares! :-)

Wow, a treasure trove of books there, Heather! I have a couple on my TBR stacks (Henrietta Lacks, Visit from the Good Squad, We Need to talk about Kevin). And there are some on your list that look interesting - ah, more to add to my must read list! Hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead!

Most of these are on my WishList as well...how in the world am I going to get to all these great books in 2012?? Oy. I don't know about We Need To Talk about Kevin...sounds a little Dexter to me...which I love by the way? Have you seen the series?

Most of these are on my WishList as well...how in the world am I going to get to all these great books in 2012?? Oy. I don't know about We Need To Talk about Kevin...sounds a little Dexter to me...which I love by the way? Have you seen the series?

The only one of those I've read is Jane Eyre, but the others are (unsurprisingly) all on my wishlist. I particularly want to read the non-fiction Kraken, since I had such luck with the fiction one. Happy New Year, Heather, and all the best for you and yours in 2012 :)

Your list is very interesting and surprising. I think I have some reading to do, too, because I haven't read many of your favorites although I recognize a lot of them. Glad you had fun compiling this list!

H, I think you are so right about reading more off our shelves. While reading this post, I looked back on my own favorites posts and only two review copies made the list. I'm hoping to get to Henrietta Lacks soon. Your list looks amazing! Happy New Year!

Isn't it fun to see lists like this? I've loved reading them the past few days. It's also interesting that the ones you loved the most are the ones you picked. Have a wonderful year of joyous reading in 2012!

The ones I've read (State of Wonder and Goon Squad) were both on my best of year list--one last year and one this year! Many others are on my TBR. I need to make time for Q too. Suddenly everyone is recommending it to me. Congratulations on a wonderful year of reading!

I love the diversity of your list and your snippets were great to read! I agree with you on Henrietta Lacks, a must read. I have been on the fence about Discovery of Witches as I am tiring of the vampire themed books but this one sounds well written. I have State of Wonder on my TBR shelf and I plan to read more from my shelves as well this year. You've got my interest with Turn of Mind and We Need to talk about Kevin! Happy New Year!!

I should just print out your list and go shopping! You have such good taste in books, Heather.

Skloot's book is one I actually have in my TBR collection already. I just need to get to it. A Discovery of Witches is another I am anxious to read. I even bought it for my nook for convenience sake and yet I still haven't gotten to it! What's wrong with me?! Jane Eyre is one of my all time favorite novels. I'm probably due for a re-read. All your other choices sound so good too . . .

All the books that you have on your list that I've also read I have really enjoyed, so I can only imagine how good the ones I'm not familiar with are! I am putting all the unknown ones on my TBR so that I know I have some good reads ahead! :D

I'm sad that I've read none of these! I keep meaning to read the Henrietta Lacks book though. One of these days! It does seem like there is a big push on by many to read more personal than review books. Good luck :)

Fabulous list! I'm intrigued by the Kraken. And so glad you've read Jane Eyre and loved it - it is my all time favorite. The Immortal Life is on my must read list this year - I am hoping to get my bookclub to choose it AND The Paris Wife.